While light on visuals and variety, Natsu-Mon's comforting world makes it a delightful summer escape.

Gets bogged down in a few of the traps created by its ambitious, free-form design, but an invigorating game emerges anyway. It's certainly in the same constellation as "Freelancer," if a lot more challenging. [Mar 2004, p.66]

Fun for kids and adults alike(the original <i>Pac Man</i> is even included in emulated form)--just be sure to bring a quality game-pad to the party. [July 2006, p.99]

Phenomenal on-the-pitch gameplay is marred by an awkward UI and lots of faff.

It takes too long to grow beyond its predecessor, but once it does Knights in Tight Spaces is an engaging and tactical roguelike deckbuilder.

A slight but fun third-person medieval melee game. It's definitely different, but needs more bulking out.

There may be prettier and more heavily populated first person shooters, but few reward teamwork as well as Insurgency.

A reasonably effective balance between traditional RTS action in the "Warcraft" mold and the large-scale tactics of the "Total War" series. [Feb 2005, p.62]

At times the difficulty and dreary landscapes are enough, but overall The Ringed City was one hell of a soft note for Dark Souls to go out on. As a surface level thematic experience, the finale is a fitting way to end the series, leaving the faintest glimmer of hope amidst all the ash. I had fun descending through a visual collage of the series’ history—it's much more interesting than Ashes of Ariandel—and I can appreciate the symbolic significance of its ending, but this is Dark Souls design at its most uninspired.

Gorgeous grand strategy with atmosphere, depth and replayability—but it needs more time to reach its potential.

Scary monsters, beautiful locations, and a story that's sadly lost in space.

Often obtuse in its puzzle design and not that artfully told, The White Door is still effective at taking you to another place.

Unmechanical dazzles with its gorgeous artwork and smart physics-based puzzle, but its ending is ultimately unsatisfactory. [Dec 2012, p.66]

It's not quite there yet, but since it did launch with a substantial load of content, it will keep 95 percent of players busy for at least a few months. [Sept 2008, p.64]

There's lots of entertainment here, if you're the patient type. [Mar 2001, p.64]

A fine extension to the original story, but its lack of tactical depth gets tiresome. [July 2008, p.54]

Baldur's Gate is still a game that's well worth playing, but the Enhanced Edition isn't the version we'd recommend.

A fighter with a great roster and exciting brawls, let down by an undercooked singleplayer component.

An admirable adaptation of a classic sci-fi story, despite a few stumbles.

Colorful graphics conceal a deep and merciless dungeon that should not be attempted alone. Bring a team to find its treasure. [July 2011, p.70]

Beautiful and stacked with excellent performances, but Eriksholm's stealth feels too much like being led around by the nose to reach greatness.

Grittier and more convincing than ever, Konami's soccer juggernaut excels on the pitch but barely tries off it.

Some deliciously well-rendered visuals have been used to re-create each of the 16 warships and submarines you control, and the ocean effects - which range from gentle swells to full-blown gales - are so convincing that you may find yourself reaching for Dramamine. [June 2003, p.68]

Old School RuneScape is a massive but compelling time sink, and even after all these years, there's simply nothing else like it.

Parallel Lines is an energetic driving/action/shooter with loads of personality and twice the depth of its underperforming predecessor. [Nov 2007, p.76]

Mytheon is just shy of being a really good venue for inexpensive adventuring. [June 2011, p.79]

An engaging turn-based strategy game that manages to retain the overall feel and flavor of the series while being distinct from its brethren. [Jan 2002, p.68]

Charming and accessible, but this is a game to play with the sound off while you're watching TV. [Nov 2015, p.62]